Eddie Howe insists Saint-Maximin's £30m move to Al-Ahli is 'above board'

Eddie Howe says that Newcastle’s £30million sale of Allan Saint-Maximin to the Saudi Arabian club with whom they share majority owners will be ‘above board’ when it comes to Premier League rules.

The French winger is poised to complete a move to Al-Ahli, owned by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, who hold an 80 per cent stake in Newcastle.

Several Premier League clubs are ready to raise concerns over whether the fee represents fair market value. They believe an inflated deal is a way in which Newcastle can navigate Financial Fair Play.

But Howe said: ‘We are governed by the same rules that every other Premier League club is - we will, I’m sure, fit every criteria needed to make sure the deal is above aboard.

‘It will be no different to any other club selling a player that they have. We have a value on his head and that value was met. I’m sure it will satisfy the Premier League rules, whoever looks at that deal.’

Meanwhile, Howe hopes that incoming Harvey Barnes will make his debut for Newcastle here in the United States this week - but again stressed that more signings are needed.

Confirmation is awaited on the £38million arrival of the Leicester winger, and Howe said: ‘There’s hope that it could possibly be done (in time for Barnes to join the squad in the US). But nothing is confirmed on any deal in.

‘Harvey is a player that I really, really like but he's still contracted to Leicester, so that is as much as I can say.’

Asked if any other deals were close, after a £30m offer for Southampton’s Tino Livramento was rejected, Howe said: ‘Not currently. We are still actively looking for players but nothing is close at the moment.’

He added: ‘It's moving parts all the time. I'm very pleased with Sandro Tonali, he's been excellent in